Method and apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands



Aug. 10 ",..-192e. 1,595,418

F. B. RILEY IBI'HOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRbDUCING A PATTERN 0FINTERLOCKING STRANDS Filed 050.21, 1922 v Sheet-Sheot 1 I I i I l l l iI l I I Aug. ,10 1926.

F. a. RILEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATTERN 0F INTERLOCKINGSTRANDS 7 Sheets-shalt v2 Filed Dec. 21

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCIIG A PATTERN OF INTERLOCKiNG STRAND!Filed Dec. 21, 1922 7 Shuts-Shoot 3;

15 5 118 F. B. RILEY 4 I Aug. 10,1926 1,595,418 r I I. F. a. RILEY ETHODAND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0F INTERLOCKING STRANDS H FiledDec. 21, 1922 '7 SheetS-Shiii 4 ,4 4 ,4 4/ 1 7 {7f Win22?" 1 T M Q M m5Aug. 10,1926 U 1,595,413

F. B. RILEY 52321500 AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0PINTERLOCKIUG SW8 Filed Dec. 21 1922 '7 Sheets-.5110. 5 W' {77/ J/U/fix Lx x //Z //,2\

ILA/LI A v v V Aug. 10,1926. 1,595,418

F. B. RILEY IETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0FIN'IHRLOCK-Il STRAIDS Filed Dec. .21, 1922 7 sheets-sheet s Aug. 101926. F. B. RILEY METHOD Aim APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN orm'rzanocxmo srnwvs 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 locking strand Patented Aug.10,1926.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS B. RILEY, 0F NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN OF INTERLOGKING STRANDS.

Application filed December 21, i922. Serial No. 608,826.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing apattern of interlocking strands and is particularly adapted forutilizing strands of substan tially non-flaccid material.

The art of weaving comprises generally the formation of a shed in aseries of warp threads "extending lengthwise of the fabric and passingthrough the shed opening thus formed one or more weft threads at rightangles to the warp threads. There are .numerous variations produced bysuch a method but essentially weaving denotes the employment ofinterlocked warp 'and weft strands at right angles to one another andall lWoven fabrics embody this general princi e.

The object of the present invention is to produce a new and ornamentalfabric of interlocked strands, which, owing to its characteristics,permits a wide latitude in design and forms a useful basis for varioustypes of open fabrics of metal, reed, cane and similar materials.

With this object in view, one feature of the invention consists indisposing two sets of diagonally arranged strands in adjacent planes,deflecting the two sets of strands in opposite directions to produce acontinuous shed passage and inserting a transverse in the shed formed tointerlock the diagonal strands. This method is accom lished by a series0 diagonal guide slots w ich are moved transversely in timed relation tothe advancing .movement of the diagonal strands in order to shift theguiding points for the strands in a manner to maintain a angularrelation of the strands as the latter are worked into the pattern. Thepressure exerted upon the strands by this transverse movement alsoserves to feed the strands together with the pattern in a lengthwisedirection. y

A further feature of the invention contemplates the provision ofdiagonal strand guiding and feeding members adapted to engage thediagonal strands in such a manner that .the guiding points for thestrands are progressed across the pattern as the strands are fedlengthwise and shed forming mechanism designed to engage the strands anddeflect the strands in opposite directions sufficiently to form 'acontinuous shed passage having substantially the cross secpassage thus fboth a locking be accomplished t predetermined tion of the lockingstrand to permit the insertion of a locking strand.

A still further feature of the invention consists in the combinationwith diagonal strand uiding and feeding members of a series 0%independently operable shed form ing members designed to engage anddeflect diagonal or longitudinal strands in oppositev directions to formashed passage, the shed forming members'being operated progressivelyacross the fabric. The action of the shed forming members may becomplemented by the employment of bending members, WhlCh engage thediagonal strands after their release by the shed forming members andimpart a curved or wavy contour to the cross locking strand. Theemployment of these bending members is more particularly useful in casethe fabric is produced from relatively heavy strands of metal or similarmaterial where the tension of the diagonal members is insuflicient toserting a cross locking strand with an end 7 I portion extending beyondthe side of the fabric, and turning the extended portion of the crossstrand into a diagonal position to form a diagonal. This method offorming strand and diagonal from the same strand member and in additionproducing a. selva e upon the fabric may rough the provision of a memberengaging the cross strand after its insertion in the fabric and designedto bend the extended portion of the strand into a diagonal position,where it is received and engaged by the diagonal strand guiding andfeeding mechanism.

Still further features of the present invention consist in certain novelfeatures of construction, combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which willbeobvious to those skilled in the art from the following description. I

In the accompanying drawings illustrat ing the preferred form of theinvention Fig. 1. represents a front elevation with a certain portionbroken away of a machine for producing the new fabric; Fig. 2 is an endelevation partly in section upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is adetail illustrating an elevation of the mechanism for operating the feedrolls; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section in elevation upon the line 33 ofFig. 1-; Fig. i is a partially diagrammatic view illustrating the fabricproduced by the apparatus of Fig. 1, together with the relation andplane of the diagonal strand guiding and feeding members and shedforming members; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fabricproduced by using only one of the diagonal strand guiding members,thereby feeding the fabric diagonally; Fig. 6 is a plan View of a fabricproduced by intermittently operat ing the diagonal strand. guiding andfeeding mechanism; Fig. 7 is a partially diagrammatic view illustratingthe cams for progressively operating the shed forming the mechanismshown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12

is a sectional detail of the same mechanism illustrating the means foropening the guide boxes for permitting the cross strand to be bent intoa diagonal position; and Fig. 13 is a detail illustrating one of the camconnections for operating the cutting and stopping members.

According to the present invention two series of diagonal strandsextending in op posite directions are arranged in superimposed planes.and guided in the proper relation to one another and to the length ofthe fabric. A shed passage is formed between thesestrands in closeproximity to the guiding members and in such a manner that a. crosslocking strand may be. thrust therethrough. After the insertion of thecross locking strand and the removal of the shed forming mechanism to aninoperative position, the fabric as a whole is fed into position for theinsertion of the next locking strand. Coupled with this advancingmovement of the fabric is a lateral or transverse movement of theguiding members for the diagonal strands such that the diagonal strandsare at all times maintained in the desired angular relation to. oneanother and to the length of the fabric. As the fabric is graduallyadvanced and the diagonal strand worked into the fabric, the uide pointof the strand is traversed lateraily of the fabric. With thisconstruction, strands of non-flaccid material such reed, cane,

the strands in a manner to create the passage. Furthermore the thrustingof the cross strand through the shed passage thus formed permits theformation of the shed passage through the provision of a series ofrecesses or openings in the shed forming members, which when moved intoalignment with one another provide a continuous passage approximatingthe cross section of the cross or locking strands. Such a constructionfor forming the shed has the very great advantage that it permits thelocking strand to be inserted with a relatively slight deflection of thelongitudinal or diagonal strands and in addition permits the formationof the shed passage in close proximity to the guiding point of thediagonal. In addition to the two sets of diagonals and cross lockingstrands, it may be desirable to provide additional strands runninglongitudinally of the fabric, these strands being guided inproximity tothe guiding points of the diagonal strands and serving to furtherreinforce the fabric. It will be evident that if so desired the shedforming'members may operate to deflect the longitudinal and diagonalstrands in opposite directions to form a shed in this manner, ratherthan deflecting the diagonals in opposite directions, as in theformation of the three strand fabric.

The illustrated embodiment of the inven tion is shown in connection witha machine having end supports 25 surmounted by a cross member 27 andhaving a drive shaft 28 journaled in the lower portion of the endsupports. Extending between the supports are two stationary cross headsindicated at 30 and 32 respectively, each of these cross heads having anangle bar 34 bolted thereto,

which is provided with a track 35 for the reception of upper and lowerguide bars 37 and 38. These guide bars have formed-therein diagonalguiding slots 40 which extend inopposite directions, as indicated inFig. 4 for example, and are of substantially the cross section of thediagonal strands received therein. These guide slots not only are ofsulhcient length to preserve the angular relation of the strand but inaddition maintain the several strands in parallel relation to oneanother. The guide bars receiving the diagonal strands are moved inopposite directions transversely of the fabric in timed relation to theadvancing movement of the fabric in a manner which will be evident tothose skilled in the art from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2. Uponreferring to these figures, more particularly Fig. 1, it will beobserved that the two guide bars which may consist of relatively thinsteel bands having the desired degree of flexibility project fromopposite ends of the guides 35. At one end of the machine these guidebars merely pass between cooperating guide rOlls indicated at 42 and 44respectively. At the opposite end, however, each of the bands extendsbetween a guide roll 45 and a cooperating feed roll 46 having spacedteeth 48 for engagement with corresponding recesses or depressions 50formed inthe band. With this construction, the bands are advanced at apredetermined rate of speed which is properly timed with relation to theadvancing movement of the fabric. to a shaft 52 which is intermittentlyadvanced by a ratchet wheel 53 and cooperatingpawl 54. Each pawl isconnected with a separate sliding rod 56 movable in the guide bracket57, these sliding rods 56 being connected at their lower ends withpivoted levers 58 and 59, as shown in Fig. 1. The

.lcvers 58 and 59 are rocked intermittently by cams 60 and 61 mounted inadjacent positions upon a shaft 62. Each time that one of the teeth 63upon the cams engages with the end of the pivoted lever the latter isrocked to operate the connected slide rod and advance one of the feedrolls connected pawl and ratchet wheel. The provision of separate camsfor operating the two feed rolls permits the bands to be travto bepresently ersed across the fabric at uniform amounts or to have varyingdegrees of travel imparted thereto. The cams are rotated at a uniformrate of speed from a driving pinion 65 connecting the end of the driveshaft and operating the cam shaft through a train of intermeshing gearsindicated at 66, 67 and 68.

Operating in timed relation to the traversing movements of the guidebands are a series of shed forming members which engage and deflect thestrands in close proximity to the guide bands. These shed formingmembers comprise a series of upper plungers 70 cooperating with a seriesof lower plungers 72, the upper plungers being slidingly received withina head 74 and the lower plungers in a similar head 75. Each of theseheads is connected to a movable or false frame 76 which may be shiftedtransversely of the machine for a purpose described. The shed formingplungers areslidingly received within the heads and are normallyretained in .an inoperative position by springs 76 surrounding each ofthe plungers and serving to maintain the plungers withdrawn, asindicated in Fig. 3. The plungers are moved toward one another atpredetermined in tervals by actuating heads 80 and 81 respectively, eachof which is provided with a Each of the feed rolls is connected throughthe operative position. sliding heads 105 is controlled by the slidingTheposition of the cam members 83 with respect to the sliding heads maybe varied to cause a progressive deflecting movement of the shed formingplungers or to cause all of the shed forming plungers to deflect thestrands simultaneously. The sliding heads are actuated intermittently bycams 85 and 86, which areconnected to opposite ends of the upper andlower heads 80 and Each of the cams is connected to the lower headthrough a three-armed lever pivoted at 91 and having one arm 92connected with the cam, a second arm 93 connected with the head throughalink 94 and a third arm 95 connected with a rod 97. The upper end ofthe rod 97 is connected to a bell crank lever 99 which is connected inturn with the upper head through a connecting link 100. With thisconstruction the heads are traversed back and forth in a manner to causea deflecting movement of the plungers at predetermined intervals and tohold the plungers in deflecting position during the insertion of thecross locking strand.

It may be desirable in weavin certain types of material, such asrelative y heavy metal strands or wire, to provlde means for bending thecross locking strand, after its insertion and the retraction of the shedforming plungers. To this end bending plungers indicated at 102 may beinterposed between the shed forming plun ers and operated upon theretraction of the latter through sliding heads 105, each carrying aseries of cam plates 107 adapted to engage with and move the bendingplungers into The operation of the heads 80 and 81, these heads beingprovide with shouldered lugs 110 which are engaged in the advancedposition of the heads by spring hooks 112 mounted upon the heads 105.Due to the engagement of the spring hooks with the lugs 110, the heads105 are drawn into operative position with the rearward movements of.the heads 80 and 81. This movement is sufficient to cause an engagementof the cam members with the bending plungers and move the latter intooperative position. At the completion of the rearward movement of theheads 80 and 81,

the extended ends of the spring hooks engage with lugs 115 ,.formed uponthe frame, permitting the heads 105 to be released and retracted underthe action of springs 117. This rearward movement of the heads may becushioned by. leaf springs 120, which engage withv the 'heads upon therearward movement, as. indicated clearly in Fig. 3,

these springs being held in position by pins 121. n producing certainpatterns, it is essential that the shed forming mechanism be shiftedlaterally during each successive cycle in order to engage with anddeflect the proper diagonal strands. The necessity for this lateralshifting of the shed forming mechanism will be evident from aninspection of Fig. 4. As indicated in this figure, the shed formingplungers and 72 engage with successive diagonal strands across thefabric to deflect these strands in opposite directions. After theformation of the shed and the insertion of a locking strand, the fabricis advanced for the formation of the next shed passage. movement, theshed forming mechanism as a whole is, shifted laterally to cause theengagement of the shed forming plungers with the proper strand. In orderto accomplish a lateral shifting movement of the shed forming mechanism,the false frame 76 is slidingly supported upon trunnions 122 projectingfrom the end supports 25. As indicated in Fig. 1, a reciprocatingmovement is imparted to the false frame and shed forming mechanismcarried thereby through a cam 125 connected with the false frame by apivoted lever 127 at an extension 128. With this construction theshedforming and bending mechanism as a whole is shifted laterally duringeach advancing movement of the fabric. Although such a relative lateralshifting of the shed forming mechanism with respect to the fabric isessential when forming a fabric of the character shown in Fig. 4, afabric such as shown in Fig. 6 for example is produced without anyrelative lateral movement of the shed forming mechanism, owing to thefact that in this type the shed forming plungers engage and deflect inopposite directions the longitudinal strands and two of diagonal strandsat their intersecting points, the points of deflection being inlongitudinal alignment with one another as the fabric is advancedthrough the machine. of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be observed that thediagonal strands are permanently received and guided in the slots 40 ofthe guide members and that the shed passage is formed in close proximityto the guiding points. The formation of the shed passage in this manneris highly desirable, as it permits the accurate location and retentionof the strands in proper alignment with respect to the shed formingplungers and insures that the latter shall invariably engage with theproper strand in forming the shed passage. The location of the guidingmeans in close proximity to the shed forming mechanism is made possiblein part by the fact that a shallow shed assage is formed with the lastpossible de ection of the diagonal strand. If it is desired to interlocka ftn rth During this advancingv under portion of the slide. The

From an inspection or longitudinal strand with the diagonal and crossstrands, this may be accomplished as indicated either in F ig. 4 or Fig.6, these longitudinal strands being guided in a plane prises one or moreupstanding feeding fingers 135, which extend from a reciprocating bar136. These feeding fingers are preferably located at intervals along thebar to engage with the fabric at different points. The bar 136 slides inguides 137 formed upon the end supports and is reciprocated in timedrelation to the production of the fabric from a cam 140. The cam isconnccted to the slide bar by abell crank 141' pivoted to the frame at142 having one end engaging with the periphery of the cam and theopposite end connected at 143 to the feed fingers 135 are designed toengage in the interstices of the pattern and feed the latter during themovement to the left in Fig. 3. Upon movement of the feeding fingers inthe opposite direction, the rounded ends 144 slide beneath the fabricwithout feeding, thus permitting the feeding fingers to be returned toinitial position for engagement with the fabric at a new point.

For certain purposes and with certain types of material there is adistinct advantage in producing a selvage upon one or a both edges ofthe pattern and in the present invention this is accomplished in a noveland useful manner bybending back the cross locking strands andincorporating the extended ends of these cross strands in the fabric asdiagonal strands. This method of operation will be evident from aninspection of vFig. 4, in which successive cross strands are alternatelybent back at opposite sides of the fabric to form certain of thediagonal strands. The bonding of the cross strands in this manner isaccomplished by an automatically operating bending mechanism shown moreparticularly in Figs. 1 and '8 of the drawings. This mechanism engagesthe extended end of the cross strand after the latter has been insertedin the shed passage and bends this extended end supported in a curvetrack 152, this mem her being provided with a grooved roll member in thecurved track 152. In this mechanism actually incorporated position thestrand 1s sprung 1nto one of the diagonal slots formed in the guidemember and is thereafter retained in the slot during the traversingmovement of the guide member and the strand across the fabric.

The bending member is operated by a curved lever 160 connected with themember through an adjustable link 162, as shown in Fig. .3,'the innerend of the link being connectedwith the bending member through a ballsocket joint 164 to permit swiveling movements of the member withrespect to the link, as indicated clearly in Fig. 8. The lever 160. ispivoted at 142 and the lower end 164 engages with a cam 166, whichactuates the lever in a manner to movethe bending-member atpredetermined intervals. It will be obvious that by a proper design ofthe cam and connecting the bending member may actuated to bend everysuccessive cross strand or to bend alternate cross strands as desired.

Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive illustrate somewhat diagrammatically anarrangement for automatically accomplishing the insertion and bending ofcross strands from an endless length of wire, cane or similar material.Although this mechanism is not shown as in the present machine, themanner in which it'could be incorporated will be evident from the drawings and following description. As indicated, the cross strand is fedfrom a reel 170 between feeding and straightening rolls indicated at 172and 173. From the feeding and bending rolls the strand passes through aclosed passage 17 5 which is arranged in alignment with the shed formingmembers to cause the passage of the strand through the shed opening whenthe latter is formed. Upon 'the opposite side of the machine is locateda similar closed passage 175 to receive the strand after it is passedthrough the shed opening. Each of these closed passages is formed in amember 180, the two members 180 being pivotally connected at 181 tocover plates 182. With this construction, the closed passages areprovided p for the insertion and retention of the cross strand atopposite endsof the shed passage, these closed passages 175 beingopened, however, to permit the removal of the path of the strand by.tion, as s strand therefrom by the bending members. As indicatedclearly in Fig. 12, the member 182 is normally supported in the positionshown by a connected rod 184 engaging at its lower end with a cam 185.The rotation of this cam causes the member 182 to be dropped into theposition shown in dot and dash lines at predetermined intervals in orderto permit the removal of the strand from the passage 175. As indicated,the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 is adapted to engage and bend successivecross strands alternately at opposite ends. For this purpose, anautomatically operating stop indicated at 190 is caused to project intothe a cam, 192. This stop finger is positioned at approximately the edgeof the fabric and prevents the feeding of the strand beyond this point.Cooperating with the stop member is a cutter member 194 which sevrs thestrand, leaving an extended end in the closed passage at the right ofthe machine. Thereafter the member 182 at the right of the machine isdropped to permit the cooperating bending member to engage this strandand bend it diagonally, as shown in Fig. 11, into position to be engagedby the guiding slots. During the insertion of the next successivelocking strand the stop finger 190 and the cutter 194 are retained in aninoperative be position and the strand is moved across the entire lengthof the closed passages 17 5 until engagement with a fixed stop 195.Thereafter this strand is severed at the right hand edge of the fabricthrough a cutting member 196 operated by a stop cam. In the meantime themember 182 at the left of the machine is depressed to permit this strandto be fed into a diagonal posi hown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. As anbands 37 and 38 the construction shown in Fig. 9 may be employed forcertain types of material, for example. metal strands. With thisconstruction, the guiding of the diagonal strands is accomplished bycooperating rolls 200 and 201, which have spiral grooves 202 and 203formed therein adapte to receive and maintain the strands in the properposition. It will be evident that if the diagonal strands are insertedin the grooves in the upper and lower rolls that these strands will notonly and maintained in the proper angular pos1- tions'but will inaddition be fed in a len wise direction as the rolls are rotate totraverse the strands along the length. It will be understood the crosssection of the spiral grooves zipand the latter fit the grooves withrelative accuracy. These rolls may be independently driven throu hseparate drive gears indicated at 204 an 205 and shifted laterbe guidedroximates the cross section of-the strands:

alternative to the endless guiding tending bers.

ally through cams 206 and 207 engaging with stationary pins 208 and 209pro ecting from the frame. It will be obvious that this lateral shift ofthe guiding and feeding rolls is for the same purpose as the lateralshift of the shed forming mechanism described in the preferredembodiment of the machine.

The patterns shown in Figs. 4., 5 and 6 of the drawings illustratecertain designs which may be produced embodying the principles of theinvention. The fabric shown in Fig. 4 comprises generally two sets ofdiagonal strands maintained in adjacent planes by the guiding membersand deflected in opposite directions to form a shed opening for thelocking strand. In addition this pattern illustrates one method ofinterlocking additional sets of longitudinal strands, these strandsbeing deflected at their points of intersection with the diagonalstrands to form a shed passage. This pattern also illustrates theformation of a partial selvage by the bending back of successive crossstrands at oppoiste sides of the fabric. Fig. 5 illustrates a patternwhich may be produced by traversing one of the guide members for thediagonal strands and retaining the cooperating guide member stationary,this mode of operation causing the fabric to be fed in an inclineddirection in the manner illustrated. In this construction also a shedpassage is produced by an opposite deflection of successive diagonalsexin; the same direction to produce the shed passage. Fig, 6 illustratesa conventional type of fabric which may be produced according to theprinciples of the invention, employing two sets of diagonal strands withcooperating longitudinal strands, the longitudinal strands and thediagonal strands at the points of intersection of the diagonals beingdeflected in opposite directions to form the shed passage so that thecross looking strand passes at one side of both diag onals and at theopposite side of the cooperating longitudinal strand. This pattern alsoillustrates a Variation which may be introduced by intermittentlyvarying the movement of one or both of the guide mem- Itwill beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the cross locking strand maybe inserted manually in the continuous shed passage formed by the slotsin the shed forming plungers when the latter are moved into alignmentwith one another. In addimfeedrollers 172 and 173 connections indicatedat 226 to control the erly connecting the cam shaft with the ma chine asa whole.

It will be evident that the depth and character of the shed passage inthe present machine is determined by the cross section of the slotsformed in the working ends of the shed plungers, this passage beingbounded upon three sides by the walls of the slot and upon the fourthside by the deflected strands between which the shed passage isproduced. It will furthermore be evident that the formation of the shedpassage by the deflection of the diagonal and longitudinal strands takesplace progressively through the engagement of successive strandstransverselyof the pattern by individual shed forming members. Inaddition the illustrated embodiment of the invention shows a progressivebending action on the part of the bend ing members starting at thecentral portion of the pattern and progressing outwardly to oppositesides, this bending action being of particular importance as it tends todraw the cross strandsinwardly from opposite sides as the overlyingdiagonal and longitudinal strands are brought back to initial position,this drawing action continuing until the bending operation hasprogressed to the outer edges of the pattern.

It may be pointed out that the produc tion of a pattern of interlockingstrands by feeding the pattern diagonally with relation to the machinein the manner shown in Fig. 5 not only permits the formation of thepattern with a single movable guide and feed member but in additionresults in the production of more fabric for each cycle of operations.This will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 5 illustrating theinsertion of the locking strands at an inclination'to the direction offeed of the pattern. In addition to the pattern produced as shown inFig. 5 by a-single moving guide member, it will be evident that by theemployment of two guide members with an unequal movement of the membersin opposite directions the designed fabric shown in Fig. 6 may beproduced and in addition a relative sidewise movement of the fabric inorder to Vary forming members may be secured.

the alignment of the shed with relation to the strands In other words,it will be I evident that a considerable variation in the character ofthe work may be introduced by suitable variation of the guide membersand their movements.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the actualfeeding of the pattern is accomplished primarily by the latcient to feedthe pattern as eral thrust exerted at the guidingpoints of the diagonalstrands. The component of this thrust lengthwise of the pattern issuflithe guiding points traverse across or transversel of the pattern.It will be'furthenmore un erstood that the terms lengthwise strands orstrands extending lengthwise of the pattern are intended-to embrace allstrands in the pattern other than the cross locking strands,independently of whether these strands extend longitudinally of thepattern or diagonally at dlflerent angles.

I claim L'An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising a' guide band, a series of inclined slots formed in the guideband and designed to receive and guide diagonal strands, cooperatingshed forming members positioned ahead of and in 7 guide strands extendinrelatively close proximity to the guide band, means for actuating theshed forming mem here to form successive shed passages, and means forfeeding the guide band transof interlockmg strands comprising two series,of .inclined slots extending in o tween the feeding movements of positedirections, means for feeding eac series of inclined slots in oppositedirections transversely, a third series of stationary longitudinalslots, the three series of s ots bein positioned in different planes,and she forming mechanism located in close proximity to the guideslotsand adapted to produce ashed passage by deflection of the strands. i 1

4. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking, strandscomprising a relatively thin band having a series of inclined guide'slotsfformed therein, means for in-- termittently feeding the bandtransversely of the machine, cooperating shed forming members, meansfor. actuating the shed forming members to produce shed passagesbetheband,"

iide a openin and means for feeding the pattern simultaneously with thetransverse movements of the band. 1;

5. An apparatus for producing apattern of interlocking strandscomprising a guide member having a series of inclined guide slots formedtherein, means for operating the member to cause an intermittenttransverse movement of the guiding points of the strands cooperatingshed forming members, and means for actuating the shed forming membersto form successive shed openings for the reception of a cross lockingstrand.

6. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising upper and lower stationary heads, a uide member having aserieslof dia onal s ots slidingly received in each head or movementtransversely of the-machine, a series of shed forming members slidinglysupported for vertical movement in proximity to the heads, means foractuating the shed forming membersto deflect th strands, and means forbodil shifting the shed forming members in ,a ateral direction betweenthe formation of the shed opening.

7. An apparatus or producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising means for guidinga series of parallel strands, co-

operating shed forming members operating to deflect the strands,cooperating bending members operating to return the strands towardinitial position after the formation of the shed, means for actuatingthe shed forming members, and means for actuating the bending memberscontrolled by the actuating mechanism for the shed forming members.

8. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising two series of cooperating shed forming plungers, a slidinghead operating the plungers to form a shed, a series of cooperatingbending plungers, a second sliding head for operatlng the bendingplungers, and means adapted tn connect the two heads to move the secondhead into an operative position upon the withdrawal of the first headfrom operative "position.

9. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising cooper- -atin shed forming members, coeperating ben ingmembers, means for operating the shed forming members to produce a shedand means controlled thereby for therea ter operating the bendingmembers to return the strands toward initial position after theformation of the shed opening. a

'10. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising two movable guide bands each having guide slots formedtherein, means for guiding the movement of the bands transversely of themachine, and separate and independent mechanism for intermittentlymoving each of the bands transversely of the machine at a predeterminedrate of speed.

11. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising means for guiding a plurality of parallel strands, means fordeflecting the strands to form a shed passage therebetween for theinsertion of a cross locking strand, and means for engaging'with theextended end of a cross locking strand at one side of the pattern andbending the strand into operative position with relation to the guidingmeans.

12. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising means for guidinga plurality of parallel strands, means fordeflecting the strands to form a shed passage therebetween for'theinsertion of a cross locking strand, and a bending member movable in acurved path designed to cause engagement of the bending member with theextended end of a locking strand and movement of the extended portion ofthe strand into an inclined position with the guiding in operativerelation means. I

13. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising a guide member having a series of diagonal guide slots formedtherein, means for actuating the member, shed forming mechanism designedto form a shed passage adjacent the guide member, and a bending membermovable in a pathto engage with the extended end of a locking strand andbend this end into operative relation with a diagonal guide slot at onesid of the path.

- 14. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising a guide member having a series of diagonal guide slots formedtherein, means for actuating the member, shed forming mechanism designedto form a shed passage adjacent the guide member, a bending head, a rolljournaled upon the head for engagement with the extended portion of thelocking strand, and means for actuating the head to bend the extendedend of a strand into position above one of the guide slots and permitthe reception of a strand thereby and its incorporation in the pattern.

15. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising guide bands each having a series of diagonal slots formedtherein, means for intermittently moving the bands transversely of themachine, cooperating shed forming members positioned for verticalmovement adjacent the guide bands and in advanc thereof, means foroperating the shed forming members between the transverse movements ofthe guide bands, feeding members adapted for engagement with the fabricin advance of th shed forming members, and means for intermittentlyactuating the feed members in timed relation to the movement of theguide bands and shed forming members.

16. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising a stationary head, a guide band having a series of guideslots slidingly supported by the head, means for intermittently movingthe band, and a series of guide slotsformed in the head and-stationarywith respect to the slots in the moving member. I

17. An apparatus for producinga pattern of interlocking strandscomprising cooperating guide members, cooperatng shed forming memberspositioned adjacent thereto, means for intermittently operating theguide members and shed forming members in timed relation, a bendingmember designed to engage the end of a cross locking strand and move itinto operative relation to the guide members.

18. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising means for guiding diagonal strands, mechanism forintermittently feeding a cross locking strand, means forautomaticallymeasuring the length of strand thus inserted, and means forengaging with the extended end of the strand and bending it into aninclined position to engage with the guiding means.

19. An apparauts for producing a pattern of interlocking strandscomprising means for feeding a cross strand, means for automaticallylimiting the insertion of the cross strand at one of two predeterminedpoints, means for severing the cross strand thus inserted at differentpoints, and means for successively bending the extended length of 21. Amethod of producing a pattern of 1 1 5 interlocked, non-flaccid strandswhich con sists in arranging a series of diagonal strands in parallelrelation, forming a shed passage by the deflection of the strands, in-'serting a cross locking strand with an end extending from the side ofthe pattern, and bending the,v extended end of the locking strandbackward into parallelism with the diagonal strand to form a diagonalstrand as the length.

FRANCIS B. RILEY.

pattern is fed in the direction of its

